Holden Signs Bill Extending Health Insurance For Kids

A pet project of Governor Mel Carnahan has been extended by Governor Bob Holden. Holden has signed the bill extending a state health insurance program for more than 74,000 Missouri children. The program is called MC-Plus for Kids. It uses state money to leverage federal funds. Children in families making up to three times the poverty level qualify. A family of four that makes up to $54,000 a year can qualify for the program. That aspect and the fact that it also pulls in adults to other taxpayer subsidized programs has been a focus of critics who say the state can’t afford such a rich program.